Protests in Serbia Archive
Odraz B92 Daily News Service

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    ODRAZ B92, Belgrade                             Daily News Service

    Odraz B92 vesti (by 11 PM), January 29, 1997

    E-mail: odrazb92@b92.opennet.org, beograd@siicom.com
    WWW:    http://www.siicom.com/odrazb/, http://www.opennet.org/b92/
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    All texts are Copyright 1997 Radio B92. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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    NEWS BY 11 PM
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    ZAJEDNO COALITION CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE

    Several tens of thousands of Belgrade citizens walked from all
    parts of the city on Wednesday evening to central Republic Square
    to attend the opposition's protest rally.

    At the rally, opposition leader Vuk Draskovic called on workers,
    high school students and police to hold a general strike. He also
    called on the Chief of Staff of the Yugoslav Army, General Momcilo
    Perisic, to publically support the will of the Serbian people, and
    not to hide behind talk about the ``institutions of the system.''

    Opposition leader Vesna Pesic also called on workers from all
    sectors of the economy to go out on strike, ``otherwise the
    authorities will continue to wear down our citizens,'' she
    explained.

    Opposition leader Zoran Djindjic added ``We are defending our
    rights, truth is on our side, we are stronger, better looking,
    smarter [than our political opponents]. We are Serbia without
    complexes.''

    Mr. Djindjic also said that Serbia was in a worse state than
    Albania, for ``even in Albania those who steal were arrested.''

    Leaders of the Zajedno coalition called on their supporters to
    come to Republic Square the next day at the same time.

    Although riot police were again out in force on Wedneday evening,
    with more than 1,000 blocking Kolarceva street, no incidents with
    demonstrators were reported.


    REPORTS ON MILOSEVIC'S REAL ESTATE IN GREECE STILL NOT DENIED

    The Greek governement neither denied nor confirmed the report of
    local daily -- 'Elefterotipia' -- that Serbian President Slobodan
    Milosevic had acquired real estate and a yacht in Greece, FoNet
    reported on Wednesday.

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Repas stated: ``We know
    nothing about Mr. Milosevic's alleged purchase of property in
    Greece,'' FoNet added.

    The Yugoslav embassy to Athens has sent a letter of protest
    against tha above-mentioned artice to the management of the daily
    'Elefterotipija.


    COUNCIL OF EUROPE: OSCE CONCLUSIONS MUST BE IMPLEMENTED

    On Wednesday, the Council of Europe demanded that Yugoslav
    authorities ``implement without delay'' the conclusions of the
    Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

    The motion was passed unanimously. That motion also included
    demands that the authorities start ``political dialogue with the
    opposition, so that democratic reform may be implemented.''

    The Council of Europe also called on Serbian authorities to
    ``refrain from the use of violence against opposition
    supporters.''

    While the Council session was attended by three members of the
    Zajedno coalition, representatives of the Socialist Party of
    Serbia had declined their invitation, said one Council of Europe
    spokesman.


    MONTENEGRIN AUTHORITIES RECEIVE RICHARD MILES

    On Wednesday in Podgorice Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic
    received US Charge d'affaires in Belgrade Richard Miles.

    The current situation in Yugoslavia was the main topic of their
    discussions, a statement from the office of Mr. Bulatovic said.

    President Bulatovic emphasized that the dynamic and complete
    economic development of Yugoslavia was the top strategic interest
    of Montenegro.

    Mr. Miles also met Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic.
    After that meeting with Mr. Djukanovic, Mr. Miles praised the
    level of privatization in Montenegro and suggested that further
    assistance could be given in the future, state media reported.


    TWENTY-SIX ALBANIANS DETAINED

    The Kosovo Information Centre stated on Wednesday that police had
    detained 26 Albanians, most of whom were political and human
    rights actvists.

    The police explanation for those arrest was that ``they were
    looking for the members of the National Movement for the Liberty
    of Kosovo.''

    The Kosovo Information Centre also stated that during the day
    (Wednesday), police had detained another 10 Albanians.

    Many political Kosovar Albanian political organisations strongly
    condemned the police arrests. Leader of Kosovar Albanians, Ibrahim
    Rugova, also met Austrian ambassador to Yugoslavia, Michael
    Weninger, on Wednesday and asked for ``support from Vienna for a
    just solution to the Kosovo problem.''

    Prepared by: Goran Dimitrijevic
    Edited by: Julia Glyn-Pickett

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    ODRAZ B92, Belgrade                             Daily News Service
    E-mail: odrazb92@b92.opennet.org, beograd@siicom.com
    WWW:    http://www.siicom.com/odrazb/, http://www.opennet.org/b92/
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